בראשית, פרק מ״ד, פסוק כ״ג

Judah stands before the Egyptian ruler, carefully recounting the harsh ultimatum that was forced upon the brothers as a condition for any future contact. This demand was presented as an absolute decree and a heavy penalty, imposed even though the ruler had already heard all of the brothers' logical and truthful arguments [ספורנו, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

However, the requirement to bring their youngest brother was never intended to uproot him from his home permanently. The expectation was simply that he would accompany the brothers during their temporary stay in Egypt, after which he would be free to return to his father. Since this was meant to be only a brief journey, there should not have been any lingering fear that the boy would die along the way [העמק דבר].

The threat attached to this demand carried a severe and sweeping punishment. It was not merely a restriction against appearing before the ruler again. Drawing on similar biblical warnings regarding travel to Egypt, this decree served as an absolute ban, forbidding the brothers from ever stepping foot on the road leading to the country again if they failed to comply [קיצור בעל הטורים].